Gunmen have attacked an agricultural college in Zamfara, North-West Nigeria, kidnapping at least 19 people.
Aliyu Bakura, the Deputy Registrar of Zamfara School of Agriculture and Animal Science, Bakura, confirmed that 15 students of the institution and four members of staff were abducted by the bandits.
He said the gunmen killed three others, a policeman and two security guards during the attack.
Aliyu said the attackers, who came “in large numbers” on motorcycles, stormed the school around 10:00 p.m. on Sunday night, shot the policeman and the two security guards dead, before moving into the hostel and staff quarters to abduct the victims.
Police spokesman in the state, SP Muhammad Shehu, confirmed the abduction and killing of the police officer.
In a statement on Monday, Shehu said the state Commissioner of Police, Ayuba Elkana, accompanied by strategic and tactical commanders visited the school following the attack by suspected armed bandits at the school.
The statement read, “The bandits, who were in large numbers, came to the school at about midnight with intent to abduct a large number of students and staff, but were heavily confronted by the Tactical Police Operatives.
“Unfortunately, a police inspector and two other civilian guards lost their lives while 15 students and four staff were abducted by the bandits.
“The police operatives while on extensive bush combing at the surrounding areas rescued three staff who will be debriefed and medically examined before being reunited with their families.”
The attack is the latest by armed criminal groups targeting students in this region, where ransom kidnappings continue to worsen.
Over 1000 students are reported to have been seized since December from schools, colleges, and universities – most have been released reportedly after paying ransoms.
Around 300 students remain in captivity, including over 100 taken from an Islamic school in Niger state and dozens taken from a Baptist secondary school in Kaduna state.